wfn.org | ABCUSA: Tsunami Relief Giving Surpasses $1,850,000

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/17/05)--Contributions
by American Baptists to relief efforts in the wake of the late December
tsunami in southern Asia and eastern Africa stand at more than
$1,850,000 through February, according to World Relief Officer Lisa
Rothenberger.

The One Great Hour of Sharing tsunami relief response is by far the
largest ever received from American Baptists for a single disaster or
crisis.

At Baptist World Aid meetings last week Rothenberger met with
representatives from other Baptist groups, "who also report
unprecedented giving and a challenge to spend the money effectively and
efficiently."  She noted that emergency response efforts by
non-government organizations and other secular bodies "have been very
strong and carried some of the burden that in other situations Christian
funding would need to provide for."  This will enable the American
Baptist response and that of other denominations to focus on the
long-term rehabilitation efforts.

"Helping people recover from disaster means not only meeting emergency
needs, but also working with them to transition into recovery and
rehabilitation activities," Rothenberger said.	"This takes time and
planning and also wise allocation of available resources over an
extended period to trusted partners.  We are moving forward doing just
that."

Rothenberger will be traveling to Indonesia in April to meet with Church
World Service relief workers and others who have been directly involved
in relief ministries.

American Baptists can continue to respond to the ongoing crisis in Asia
by contributing online to the "Give Now" option available on either
www.abcusamissions.org or www.abc-usa.org.  Churches so doing will
receive credit for OGHS giving.  Contributions also may be made through
normal channels using the Monthly Report of Mission Giving.  All
contributions should be marked "OGHS-Asian Tsunami Relief."

K/2005ABNS/05ABN30

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org